Q&A with MA Screen & Film Production course leader, Andrea Slater
By METFILM SCHOOL
01 May 2025
The MA Screen & Film Production course offers a fantastic opportunity to advance your career in the industry. We caught up with Andrea Slater, Course Leader at our Brighton campus, who was happy to answer some of your most frequently asked questions.
Firstly, what facilities are available for MA students?
At every campus, we have state-of-the-art studios and filming equipment to support your studies. Even if you’re a screenwriter, you’re encouraged to use visual testing and work with actors as part of your process. We also have edit suites kitted out with industry software, such as Adobe Premier and Avid.
What is the balance between practical and theoretical work?
Four out of the five modules have a practical element. ‘Practical’ can include anything from filmed rehearsals, screenwriting, storyboarding, or working with a composer, to the full Industry Project, which can be a feature screenplay, short film, entrepreneurial project, or dissertation.
For each of these modules, you’ll research and write about your creative and technical process. The first module is where you’ll learn about research methodologies in relation to practice, and develop the academic skills that will support the rest of your modules.
To what extent will master’s students be immersed in campus life?
We operate like a film school with the atmosphere of a production house, where students create films both in class and on independent projects out on location. It’s a very active, collaborative and professional environment that prepares students for the workplace and for their own creative and technical ambitions. It’s very different to a typical university campus; it’s hard to convey exactly what it’s like, but when industry guests come to visit us for the first time, they tell us how much it feels like home.
What industry networking opportunities are available?
MA students are invited to various networking events throughout the year, where they can meet some of our industry partners who may be looking for new talent. One opportunity we have in Brighton is our graduate industry social on the beach at sunset.
However, there are many more ways you can connect with the industry: by applying for opportunities with our partners, by attending masterclasses, by building a solid relationship with your industry mentor, or simply by talking to the tutors, technicians, and your fellow students. Industry is everywhere at MetFilm School!
What is the final output or project for the MA course?
Your major screen and film project is negotiated with your tutor, so it’s a flexible brief that can be tailored to your personal career aims. Most people work towards a short film (or films), but you can also write a screenplay or develop an entrepreneurial project, such as a business plan for a production company, for example. You can even write a dissertation if you wish to go on to do a PhD. Essentially, whatever will help you to get noticed and into your chosen field.
What excites you most about teaching at MetFilm School?
Supporting the individual journey of each student. Right from the interview I start to get to know a student, and the rest goes from there. I enjoy finding out what kind of filmmaker they want to be and helping them work out how to get there. A big part of the industry is supporting new talent, and I’m doing just that.
But generally, it’s great to be working amongst so many talented people, staff and students alike, developing new ideas, experimenting with techniques, and making films. It’s a real privilege.
Can you share a memorable moment or a particularly proud achievement from your time as Course Leader?
There are so many! It’s very rewarding to see students grow in their practice and find their filmmaking identity. The Industry Project assessment presentations are a wonderful end point. Saying that, the Graduation Screening is the icing on the cake – you can’t match the experience of seeing your film with an audience, which the students obviously enjoy. As their Course Leader, I go on that journey with them and share their excitement, and I am always so proud of their achievements.
Ready to bring stories to life?
At MetFilm School, our MA Screen and Film Production course equips aspiring filmmakers with the skills, experience, and industry insight needed to succeed across the dynamic worlds of film, television, and digital content.
Students will gain a deep understanding of the entire production process — from script development and budgeting to shooting, editing, and post-production. Through intensive workshops, collaborative projects, and masterclasses with industry professionals, you’ll build a versatile portfolio and graduate ready to thrive in a fast-evolving screen industry.
Apply now to study MA Screen and Film Production — and take your first step towards an exciting career behind the scenes.
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